I've found a lot of used 5 on 5.5" disc brake kits using mustang calipers. I am using an 8.8 explorer rear that has 5 on 4.5". Just to keep things the same I'd like to stick with 4.5" all the way around. Can the used 5.5" kits be converted to 4.5"? For example the brakes in the add below? http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=595674&highlight=f100+brakes
I would think any good machine shop could redrill and tap new threads for you very easily. not sure if it's not going to cost you dearly though. Maybe someone else has a handle on the approx. cost and can chime in here.
Thats a solution, however I would have to do that everytime I needed to replace the rotors??? Wonder if an aspen/volare rotor would fit on those spindles? Anyone have any ideas?
I guess another option is to just place an adapter on the rear axle, I have to be careful about pushing the wheel to far out though.
If I understand your question correctly, you want a front disc brake kit with 5 on 4 1/2 BC to match the rearend that you already have, yes? If so, they are offered by several sources including ECI http://ecihotrodbrakes.com/early_ford_discbrake_conversions.html and Master http://www.mpbrakes.com/products/search-results.cfm
Yeah, I've found several "new" kits but they are expensive. I have found several used ones that are are considerably cheaper, however most of these have the 5.5. So it would be nice if I could buy a used and just slap a new rotor and pads on it.....
OK, I get it. But the kits for the smaller BC use the Volare rotor with the integral hub. So a bare bones kit like this: http://www.f100central.com/catalog/...id=37&osCsid=9319519b078c2ef25340bafeb213a054 might be the cheapest way out. You supply the rotors and calipers, and reuse your bearings. The last time I had a set of F100 hubs and drums redrilled to 4.5" pattern the machine shop charge was $150 cash.
Don't mean to ask the obvious, but why not just re-drill the rear axle? Much cheaper and drums are easy to drill if you need to replace them.